Jake Fette To Enter Transfer Portal
Former starter was expected to compete for staring job next year
By: Emilio Suarez
Pride is a fickle thing and for Jake Fette, he simply couldn't swallow his pride anymore.
The four-star QB from the 2029 recruiting class earned his spot in the lineup early during his time in Tempe. Fette took over for the inconsistent Cutter Boley midway through the 2026 campaign under Kenny Dillingham, eventually starting nine games for the 8-5 Sun Devils.
Fette would lead the surprising Liberty Bowl victory over Texas A&M, despite the absence of Kenny Dillingham, and was mostly effective in his true freshman season. Fette threw for 1,868 yards with 22 touchdowns in his nine games, but also tossed a frightening 13 interceptions.
When Charlie Weis Jr. was hired, he indicated to Fette that he would be given "significant" opportunity to be the starting quarterback for the Sun Devils in 2027. Then, Weis Jr. went and got Austin Mack in the transfer portal and nothing was the same.
While it was publicly billed as a quarterback battle, those close to Fette indicate the El Paso native never saw it that way.
"He thought it was a lot of posturing. At the end of the day, Mack won. And he felt that was exactly what Weis Jr. and Samples wanted," revealed the source.
"Whether that's true or not is irrelevant. It's what Jake believes."
Mack was named the starter well before the Sun Devils went to Camp Totozona and led the Sun Devils to a perfect 13-0 record with a Big XII championship before being unceremoniously eliminated by the Ole Miss Rebels in the Sugar Bowl.
When Weis Jr. met with Fette for his exit meeting, Weis Jr. once again reiterated that Fette would be given heavy consideration for the starting role. When Fette asked if the Sun Devils were going to add a quarterback in the portal, Weis Jr. was direct.
"We're going to explore every avenue to make this team better and continue our quest for a National Championship," was Weis Jr.'s response, according to the source.
Reportedly, Fette was unimpressed.
"If you can't guarantee me the starting job, I'm leaving," the source revealed as Fette's reply.
And now, he is.
